Alpha Linoleic Acid is an “essential” fatty acid, meaning that your body cannot make it and you must obtain it from your diet. Alpha Linoleic Acid is by far the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in most human tissues.
Dietary sources of alpha-linolenic acid include:
Note: Alpha-linolenic acid is not the same as alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that helps the body turn glucose into energy. This can be confusing because both alpha-linolenic acid and alpha-lipoic acid are sometimes abbreviated as ALA.
Further notes:
Names and Abbreviations of the Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
Omega-6 Fatty Acids | Omega-3 Fatty Acids | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linoleic acid |
LA |
18:2n-6 |
α-Linolenic acid |
ALA |
18:3n-3 |
γ-Linolenic acid |
GLA |
18:3n-6 |
Stearadonic acid |
SDA |
18:4n-3 |
Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid |
DGLA |
20:3n-6 |
Eicosatetraienoic acid |
ETA |
20:4n-3 |
Arachidonic acid |
AA |
20:4n-6 |
Eicosapentaenoic acid |
EPA |
20:5n-3 |
Adrenic acid |
22:4n-6 |
Docosapentaenoic acid |
DPA (n-3) |
22:5n-3 |
|
Tetracosatetraenoic acid |
24:4n-6 |
Tetracosapentaenoic acid |
24:5n-3 |
||
Tetracosapentaienoic acid |
24:5n-6 |
Tetracosahexaenoic acid |
24:6n-3 |
||
Docosapentaenoic acid |
DPA (n-6) |
22:5n-6 |
Docosahexaenoic acid |
DHA |
22:6n-3 |
References:
One of the most common essential fatty acid deficiencies is that of alpha linolenic acid.
Alpha Linolenic Acid may be converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a longer fatty acid that is involved in regulation of inflammatory processes and prevention of platelet “stickiness.” Diminished platelet stickiness reduces the blood clotting that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Your body can make the other polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids from ALA. However, many things can interfere with this process including zinc deficiency, alcohol, obesity, and aging.
Severe deficiency in omega-3 intake pointed by numerous epidemiologic studies may increase the brain’s vulnerability representing an important risk factor in the development and/or deterioration of certain cardio- and neuropathologies.
Some signs of alpha-linolenic acid deficiency include:
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11-Eicosenoic, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, a-Hydroxybutyric Acid, AA/EPA, Alpha Linolenic, alpha-Tocopherol, Aluminum, Arachidic, Arachidonic, Arsenic, Behenic, Beta-Carotene, Cadmium, Calcium, Capric, Coenzyme Q10 (Genova), Copper, Creatinine, Dihomogamma Linolenic (Genova), Docosadienoic (Genova), Docosahexaenoic (Genova), Docosapentaenoic (Genova), Docosatetraenoic (Genova), Eicosadienoic (Genova), Eicosapentaenoic (Genova), EPA/DGLA (Genova), Gamma Linolenic (Genova), gamma-Tocopherol (Genova), Glyceric Acid, Glycolic, Heneicosanoic (Genova), Heptadecanoic (Genova), Hexacosanoic (Genova), LA/DGLA, Lauric (Genova), Lead (Genova), Lignoceric (Genova), Linoleic (Genova), Lipid Peroxides (Genova), Magnesium (Genova), Mead (Genova), Mercury (Genova), Myristic (Genova), Myristoleic (Genova), Nervonic (Genova), Nonadecanoic (Genova), Oleic (Genova), Oxalic Acid, Palmitelaidic, Palmitic (Genova), Palmitoleic (Genova), Pentadecanoic (Genova), Potassium (Genova), Selenium (Genova), Stearic (Genova), Stearic/Oleic, Total C:18 Trans, Tricosanoic (Genova), Triene/Tetraene (Genova), Vaccenic, Vitamin A (Retinol) (Genova), Zinc (Genova)